Scott Michaels Media

The Radio Now Trails The Computer

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Michaels Media) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:56:00 +0000

According to a new Mediaweek study out this week, people now spend more time on the computer than they do with radio. While reach is similar for both, 77 percent for radio and 75 percent for the computer, consumers spend on average 2 hours and 33 minutes on the computer but spend only 1 hour and 49 minutes with radio.

This lends more credence than ever that radio stations must continue to find ways to integrate what they do on the air with their websites. Streaming, podcasts, downloads, text messages, all of these things are features that radio station websites should already be doing. Now, they should be looking to create their own social networks and ways to allow their listeners to interact and be part of the station's interactive community. This out-of-the-box thinking is what is going to help radio continue to thrive in the battle of New Media.

Old Model vs. New Model

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Michaels Media) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 22:45:00 +0000

Seth Godin recently spoke to country radio broadcasters at the annual Country Radio Seminar in Nashville. During his keynote address, he compared the "old way" of doing business and the "new way." The Old model – finding customers for our products. The New model – finding products for our customers. Now, if you're already a Godin fan then you know that he says profound things like this all the time. But when I really analyzed this statement, I realized how true it really is for the radio/new media world we are evolving in. I think back even just ten years ago as a Program Director and how the ultimate goal was to constantly find ways to grow cume(finding customers for our products). In 2009, as a P.D. I am a content/service provider who's daily challenge is increasingly becoming creating compelling content and then using every media source at my disposal to "push" it to my customers. The radio stations and Program Directors that will survive in the new media world will be the ones who adopt this philosophy in their daily approach to the operation of their station.

Voiceover Legend Passes

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Michaels Media) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 22:59:00 +0000

Brian James, RIP. ALL ACCESS is saddened to report that voiceover legend BRIAN JAMES has suddenly passed away from a heart attack at 4a this morning (3/6), at his home in SCOTTSDALE, AZ. He was 48. BRIAN is survived by his wife KIMBERLY, his son MAX and a stepdaughter BROOKE.

Brian's voice was heard on hundreds of tv and radio stations across the country.

And You Thought Diary Day Was Nerve Wracking...

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Michaels Media) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:37:00 +0000

New technology from RCS and Arbitron might ensure that anal-retentive PD's never leave their computer again. The RAJAR system will allow Program Director's to see what their audience is doing minute-by-minute, and be just one click away from finding out what caused them to tune out. Sounds like an awesome product for determining the direction of your station, but man, it sure could drive you crazy. Check out the full story here: See Your Audience.

What do you think?

Cable Companies Going To Screw Us Again

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Michaels Media) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 20:23:00 +0000

If you are a fan of Hulu.com or any of the other sites where you can watch your favorite tv shows online for free, enjoy them while you can. Cable channels like HBO are freaking out because people are watching their shows online and not on the cable system. The problem? Their losing those outrageous subscription fees. Well, they're trying to do something about that by cutting deals with the big media conglomerates so that the shows would only be available to those with subscriptions. We should have known it was just a matter of time.

What's Between The Songs

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Michaels Media) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:39:00 +0000

I read a blog on a Technews site the other day that was talking about the demise of Sirius/XM satellite radio. The blog's writer is a fan of Sirius/XM and suggested that one thing that could save it was...you ready for this...LOCAL NEWS. This just backs up what I've been saying about satellite radio since it arrived: The one thing it can't provide is local news, weather and community banter between the songs and eventually that will be the demise of satellite. Well, it is coming to fruition. That's what makes terrestrial radio so great and will allow it to thrive is the local flavor. At first, listeners thought, "Great, non-stop music without dj's blabbering and no commercials." Now, I think those listeners have realized how important those things are to their daily life with the radio. What would parents do without dj's giving the school closings, or talking about a benefit event to help the family burned out of their house. Or a news story about a predator that was living in their neighborhood. Anybody can put together a jukebox full of songs, but it's what goes on inbetween the songs that makes terrestrial radio great.

Radio Performance Royalties A Double-Edged Sword

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Michaels Media) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:57:00 +0000

So the music industry used the Grammy's as an opportunity to tout the Performance Royalty issue at a "Town Hall" meeting last Friday. Just in case you aren't in tune with what this battle is all about, the artists want the recording industry to begin charging radio stations to play their songs. This model is based on the way internet streams are charged for playing songs over the net. The performance royalties would be on a per play basis as well. So what does this mean should a plan like this come to fruition? It spells the beginning of the end for music radio stations as we know them today. The fees associated with something like this plan would be so astronomical that many stations would go bankrupt and either go dark or drop their music format for some form of talk format. Believe me, I understand how the artists feel. We all want to "get paid," but they need to be careful not to bite the hand that feeds them. This is a double-edged sword for the artists, because if music formatted radio stations go away then you know how much their going to make from their songs being played on the radio? Nada. Radio has made many a superstar of the years thanks to airplay and in my opinion it has been a win-win situation for everyone. We think radio is in a volatile situation right now, let Congress pass a performance-based royalty package.

New Audio on the Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Michaels Media) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:18:00 +0000

In case you haven't found it already, I've added the GCast player to my blog here on the sidebar with my first Podcast. In upcoming sessions, I'll talk about the radio industry, particularly the "New Media" side of the business and merging radio as it is/was with where it's headed. I hope you enjoy my comments and if you have any questions or topics you'd like me to talk about feel free to shoot me an email.

Could the "GDrive" Put The Nail In The PC Coffin?

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Michaels Media) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:22:00 +0000

Althought Google won't comment one way or the other, talks of the "GDrive" arriving this year have technology folks wondering if this could spell the end of the desktop as we know it. Instead of having your own pc with your own harddrive, your data and computing would all be done on the web and your computer would essentially become software rather than hardware. Check out the article here: http://g2th.com/?g=i92ist

President Obama To Keep His Blackberry

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Michaels Media) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 22:48:00 +0000

How cool is that? The first President to carry a PDA...wow, two days in office and already setting precedents. Here's the story according to Technology News:

Just days after his inauguration, Barack Obama will apparently be the first U.S. president to use a smartphone while in office. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters Thursday that the new president will use a BlackBerry to stay in contact with a circle of senior staffers and close friends, despite concerns expressed earlier by the U.S. Secret Service and the National Security Agency. "Like many executives, he's going to get what he wants," said Jonathan Penn, an analyst at Forrester Research.

New Clear Channel Owners Restructure

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Michaels Media) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:35:00 +0000

One of the biggest radio restructuring and job cuts is coming to a Clear Channel radio station near you this week. Most likely, it'll happen as early as tomorrow, and possibly while our newest President is being inducted. Clear Channel thinks by doing it then, the press will be more interested in the Inauguration. Sleazy! Check out the whole story in the New York Post.

It's sad, because hundreds if not thousands of talented radio personalities will join the ever growing list of those that just became a number behind the mic.

Delay DTV? Please, NO!

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Michaels Media) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:24:00 +0000

President Elect Barack Obama has asked Congress to delay the February 17th switch to digital television because the government coupons for converter boxes have run dry. Apparently, going ahead with the switch would "leave millions in the dark." In 2009, I just find it hard to believe that "millions" of Americans still watching big clunky TV's with rabbit ears. If this is true, then I am more out of touch than I realize. I mean, I voted for Obama, but I have to disagree with this move. What if the government hadn't offered coupons at all! Then what? The government dropped $1.34 billion as a way to try to assist some of our neighbors in need. Come on, this transition to digital has been delayed already for years and I'm sick of the promos reminding me "just 48 more days to digital...just 47 more days to digital...just 46 more days." It's not like we didn't know this was coming America.

Jacob Returns for "Twilight: New Moon"

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Michaels Media) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:44:00 +0000

Well it's official Twilight heads, Taylor Lautner is returning as Jacob/Werewolf in the second movie in the Twilight series. Perez Hilton has the details:

The search for the new Jacob is over.
They're sticking with the old dude!
Twilight author Stephanie Meyer just confirmed the casting news on her official website.
Stephanie posted the following note from New Moon director Chris Weitz :
"I'm very happy to announce that Taylor Lautner will be playing Jacob Black in New Moon and that he's doing so with the enthusiastic support of Summit Entertainment, the producers, and Stephenie Meyer.
The characters in Stephenie's books go through extraordinary changes of circumstance and also appearance; so it is not surprising that there has been speculation about whether the same actor would portray a character who changes in so many surprising ways throughout the series. But it was my first instinct that Taylor was, is, and should be Jacob, and that the books would be best served by the actor who is emotionally right for the part. I think that fans of Twilight the book and the movie will be surprised by the Jacob Black that Taylor will bring to the screen in New Moon; and I'm looking forward to working with him and the rest of the cast in realizing the film.
very best
Chris Weitz"
Meyer herself had the following to say:
"I'd just like to add that I was very much a part of this decision. My first priority was always what was best for New Moon—what was going to give us the best possible movie. I'm truly thrilled that Taylor was the one who proved to the director, to Summit, and to me that he is the best possible Jacob we could have. And I'm very much looking forward to seeing what he's going to bring to Jacob's character this year.
- Steph"

Motorola's Water Bottle Phone

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Michaels Media) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:39:00 +0000

Motorola has unveiled the first mobile phone made from recycled water bottles. The "MOTO W233 Renew" was previewed at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week. Not only is the plastic housing of the phone made from plastics comprised of recycled water bottles and 100% recyclable, but it is also the world’s first carbon neutral phone, Motorola said. The Renew mobile phone will be available through T-Mobile in the next couple of months.

Samsung To Unveil 1/4" Thick TV

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Michaels Media) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:24:00 +0000

The big International Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas is upon us and Samsung is expected to unveil an LCD TV that is 7mm thick. That is approximately 1/4". Wow! As a tech geek, this kind of stuff just amazes me. No more the days of two people lifting that humongous tube television into the entertainment center. You know what I'm talking about...the tv's that are deeper than they are high and weigh about 500 lbs. What's next? Paper thin tv's that you can roll up like wallpaper and move from room to room? Hey Samsung, I said it here first if you try to take my idea.

Track Your Workout On Your Blackberry

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Michaels Media) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:44:00 +0000

If your New Years resolution is to lose weight and/or hit the gym and get back into shape and you use a Blackberry, then I've got the BB app for you. I stumbled upon this application the other day while reading my favorite website http://www.crackberry.com/. It's from Gymtechnik and you can build your entire workout and track it at the gym right on your Blackberry. That's pretty sweet. Just set up your account on your PC along with your workout and then access your workout via your blackberry browser. Check out the website at: http://www.gymtechnik.com/.

Local Radio Wins Every Time

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Michaels Media) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:07:00 +0000

A report out this week says that Sirius/XM satellite radio has about a year left if they don't figure out how to make some money. Head honcho Mel Karmazin said that in the several years that satellite radio has been around, they have yet to make a dollar. As a matter of fact, Sirius/XM is about $1 billion(that's billion with a b) in debt. A few weeks ago, I read an article about Howard Stern talking about this being his last year with satellite radio and probably even radio all together. Personally, I think we'll see him pop up again on terrestrial radio in the future. So what does this say about local radio? What us Program Directors have been saying all along every time we get the question "Is satellite hurting you?" I have always maintained that they would never be able to provide the service that terrestrial radio stations do when it comes to being local. Satellite tried to make everyone believe that music is the driving force of radio and that air personalities aren't important. The truth is, weather is the number one service element that listeners turn on radio stations for and then yes, they want to hear their favorite songs. Sirius/XM tried to provide local weather and traffic in some markets but they just weren't able to pull it off like the local radio stations. The bottom line is, your local radio stations are important and they do provide a companionship that is taken for granted sometimes. When it comes to local news, weather, traffic, community events, relating to the market and giving back to the community nobody does it better than terrestrial radio stations.

iPhone hits Wal-Mart stores

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Michaels Media) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:23:00 +0000

From www.allaccess.com

YESTERDAY (12/28), WAL-MART began selling APPLE's iPHONE 3G at its approximately 2,500 stores. The price, with a new two-year service agreement with AT&T (or qualified upgrade), is $197 for the black 8GB model and $297 for the black or white 16GB version. "We are delighted to bring customers this ground-breaking mobile technology," WAL-MART SVP/Entertainment GARY SEVERSON said in a statement. "Our electronics associates have been preparing for many weeks for the arrival of iPHONE 3G." The WAL-MART price is just $2 less than the going rate for the same models being sold at Apple retail stores, AT&T stores and at BEST BUY. Rumors speculating that APPLE would sell a $99 iPHONE exclusively at WAL-MART have turned out to be false. Nevertheless, the move could become a boom to APPLE and to content providers who access the iPHONE applications. As CNETNEWS.COM reports, the phone will now be made available to millions of more customers at a retailer that doesn't stock RESEARCH IN MOTION's BLACKBERRY and other smartphone rivals.

Wow, as a Blackberry user and "addict," I have to admit this is quite a coup for Apple. Pretty amazing when you think about the large new customer base that the iPhone will be available to. It'll be interesting to see what and if RIM will counter the move.

Blackberry blog

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Michaels Media) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:56:00 +0000

I'm testing this out to see if I set things up correctly to blog directly from my blackberry. Wow...talk about amazing stuff. This is a test, I repeat only a test :)
Sent via BlackBerry 8830
------------------------------
www.scottmichaelsmedia.com
"Professional Voice Services"

Internet Ad Growth Expected

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Michaels Media) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:31:00 +0000

While many forecasters are predicting doom and gloom for media outlets in the coming year, some expect the one bright spot to be the internet. Here's the article from Allaccess.com:

Despite Overall Decline, Internet Ads Projected To Rise
Online will be the one bright spot in what will otherwise be the worst advertising recession since 2001, two of the industry's leading forecasters predicted in new reports released early this morning. MEDIAPOST reports that while online ad spending growth will have its slowest year of growth yet since it climbed out of the last ad recession, it will still grow at rates that would seem healthy for the other major media. WPP's GROUPM unit projects online ad spending will expand 10% in 2009, a marked dip from its 22% rate of growth in 2008, but still a double-digit rate of expansion amid a global economic ad recession. PUBLICIS' ZENITHOPTIMEDIA GROUP predicts it will fare even better, expanding 18% in 2009. Despite the continuing slowdown in the expansion of the online advertising economy, its share of advertising budgets will expand significantly during 2009 as most other major media remain flat or decline. Both agencies predict total worldwide ad spending will decline 0.2% during 2009. "Advertisers are scrutinizing every penny," stated GROUPM Futures Director ADAM SMITH. "The automotive and financial services categories have obviously seen weakness across 2008, and retail will be under pressure as we move beyond its busiest fourth-quarter into 2009. Among our own client base we are not seeing wholesale cancellations, but we are seeing migration from expensive and less-tried-and-true media to value and certainty."

If this holds true, it's more proof that radio is going to have to continue to embrace the web, technology and the fact that we have become content providers, not just "disc jockeys."

Radio Ad Forecast for '09

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Michaels Media) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:15:00 +0000

Forecasting 2009: Fitch sees a slowdown along Main Street.
Economists at Fitch Ratings have issued their annual outlook for the media sector. Not surprisingly the news isn’t great. Fitch says there’s a "severe global recession" and it issues the gloomiest forecast released so far: Spending could be down 6% to 9%. That’s the worst since 2001. Most worrisome is Fitch’s conclusion that "There are more catalysts for deterioration rather than improvement for local advertising going into 2009."

So what does this mean for radio? Two things: 1)Get out and superserve your community and 2)Look for non-traditional revenue streams

Why do I think it's important to ramp up your community presence during this downturn? Because advertisers and listeners alike need to know that we aren't going anywhere. We are still strong and will continue our effort to be part of the community we serve. Ultimately, this will be a big positive for radio when the economy rebounds because our customers will want to "repay us" for not giving up on them in a time of crisis.

As radio stations we should be seeking out non-traditional forms of revenue regardless of the state of the economy but definitely now. If we can find ways to encourage businesses to "advertise"(buy into, sponsor, etc) as part of promotions, concerts, the web, expos and other venues then we can I believe offer them more than "spots." Customers like added value and feel like they get it with additional promos that can be provided as part of non-traditional campaigns. This offers radio stations a source of income during a time when businesses may be cutting their traditional advertising budgets.

Recession?

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Michaels Media) — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 01:14:00 +0000

Shoppers spent $10.6 Billion(with a B) on black Friday. That is up 3% from last year. So are we in an "economic downturn" or not? Well, I never believed we were to begin with and based on the amount of cash Americans laid down on Friday I'd say many agree. I mean, I'm glad that shoppers have recovered enough financially over the last several months to be able to go out and spend the way they did. On the other hand, it saddens me that we've become so obsessed with the material aspect of Christmas that we will go to any length to "buy stuff" for family and friends. For me personally, some of the best gifts I've ever recieved were not things purchased at the local Wal-Mart but made from love.

Update on the BarackOBerry

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Michaels Media) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 02:58:00 +0000

It's a known fact that President elect Barack Obama loves his Blackberry. But word is, he may have to give it up due to security reasons once he becomes President. But wait...In a recent interview with Barbara Walters, Obama said he is fighting for his berry:

WALTERS: How are you going to get along without your Blackberry?

OBAMA: (Laughs). This is a problem. I, you know, one of the things that I'm going to have to work through is how to break through the isolation ... the bubble that exists around the president. And I'm in the process of negotiating with the Secret Service, with lawyers, with White House staff ...

WALTERS: You might have a Blackberry?

OBAMA: Well, I'm, I'm negotiating to figure out how can I get information from outside of the 10 or 12 people who surround my office in the White House. Because, one of the worst things I think that could happen to a president is losing touch with what people are going through day to day.
Once you experience the Always On, Always Connected lifestyle that the BlackBerry platform provides, it's tough to go back to life without it. I'd be doing everything in my power to try and keep my Berry too!

We just need to convince him to ditch that 8700 for a new STORM.

How About Radio Bailout??

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Michaels Media) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:45:00 +0000

Well, let's see, the government has bailed out the big banks and mortgage companies and this morning they agreed to help bail out Citibank. Can we get radio on the list too? I mean, business across the board is down for everyone but this is by far the worst I've seen the radio industry in my 19 years. It's kind of scary. A former Newscorp exec says that the economic downturn for media companies is going to be "very ugly."

Exiting News Corp European Chairman, Marty Pompadur, warned that the economic downturn for media will be "very, very ugly," and could force some companies to sell. Pompadur spoke at the European Media Leaders Summit in London, predicted that the current recession would be, "pretty deep and pretty long".Pompadur, who resigned the News Corp board after ten years, said companies with a large amount of debt could change hands because of the economic downturn.To read more, see Paul McNally's column in the Press Gazette.

I think radio companies that need help should get it too just like the big banks. Everyday we provide important local information to our communities and get out and do events like food and toy drives to help those in need. Now we need a little help...so come on Washington, what do you say?

A Storm is on the Horizon

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Michaels Media) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:06:00 +0000

From Crackberry.com: How's this for a little Verizon BlackBerry Storm eyecandy? Word is about 400,000 units will soon embark on their journey through the United States of America to a Verizon dealer near you!! If you haven't booked off this Friday yet from work, what are you waiting for?! Time to make use of those personal leave / sick days you've been saving! :-)

Boy am I pumped up. The new first ever touchscreen Blackberry "Storm" is hitting Verizon stores on Friday. I currently use the 8830 World Edition and was really anxious to change to the new Storm...BUT...I sit here typing this blog on my SWEET new HP Pavilion Bronze edition. My amazing wife is so good to me when I really want a new gadget. But I'm also smart enough to know after my notebook purchase I'm not about to ask for a Storm. So for now, I'll follow the debut on my favorite website http://www.crackberry.com/ and read the forums to see what kind of reaction and reviews the crackberry addicts give the new BB.